Trick or Treat Cookie Jar

When Halloween is looming near, a jar full goodies will calm all fears!

Trick or Treat!

Please Note:

Please READ all of the instructions for this project before starting. Some preparation beforehand is required. Not knowing ahead of time what comes next could result in problems. We want you to enjoy this project and have fun!

The stencil for this project is no longer available, but we love it so much we still wanted to show it. The instructions below will give you similar results depending on the template you use. Of course you always can use one of the Over n Over alphabet stencil sheets we offer.

Final note: The jar in our project was not real colored glass but coated with an orange coloring, so our instructions are for Sand Etch. However if you have one that is true colored glass, you can etch it with Etch Cream instead.

For more information on real or imitation colored glass, how to tell the difference and how it can be etched. SEE: Glass Etching Tips and Tricks on this website. LOOK FOR: Etching Colored Glass

Stencil template-plastic mylar from craft store (if you choose to use a different method for obtaining your letters, they must be in stencil format with connection points holding the letters together)

Large plastic lined cardboard box

Large sheet of paper (newspaper, old gift wrap, parchment paper, etc. Can also use aluminum foil, several sheets of PC paper taped together, etc)

Pencil

Soft wide brush trim or mop brush (to use as a duster)

Covering for work surface

Soft paper towels.

Directions:

1. Assemble your Sand Etching system and set aside

2. Set up your work area in a place that is not breezy and is ok to get a bit dusty (like the garage, basement or enclosed porch-not a good idea for the kitchen table). There will be vacuuming required when you are done for clean up. Cover your work surface with an old tablecloth or large piece of plastic. Place the plastic lined box on the table..

3. Prepare your stencil. Cut off a section of vinyl masking larger than your template and place front side down on the table. The paper backside should be facing up.

4. Since it is easier to trace the design without smudging on paper side and not the vinyl side, place the mylar stencil (template) right side down on the backside of the vinyl (letters will be backward.) trace out the letters onto the paper side of the vinyl.

5. Cut out the letters on the cutting mat

6. Gently wash the cookie jar with soap and water. Dry well.

7. Lay out the large sheet of paper on the table. Lay the vinyl stencil right side up in the middle of the paper. Trace around the outside and set stencil aside. Cut inside the lines of the tracing by about 1 inch, so the hole in the paper is slightly smaller than the piece of vinyl.

8. Remove the lid from the cookie jar and set aside. Carefully peel off the paper backing from the stencil and place onto the side of the jar by starting with one end and laying it down in a smooth motion to the other end. Smooth out any buckling or bubbles as you go. Pay particular attention to the edges of the cuts. They should be firmly secured to he glass. It is recommended that you lay a piece of paper over the stencil and rub the entire surface with an old credit card or back of a spoon to ensure a firm bond.

9. Now take the large sheet of paper and center the hole over the stencil. Drape the paper over the jar. Apply strips of masking tape all around the edge of the hole in the paper, attaching it to the stencil. Wrap the paper around the jar, folding over the top and bottom to cover them and secure with some tape. Make sure anywhere over-spray may touch the glass needs to be covered (just as if you were spray painting it)

10. Place the jar inside the box. Sand Etch the jar following the instructions that came with your kit. Keep the nozzle very close to the surface of the glass and etch until all of the colored tint inside the stencil area has been removed and the glass underneath has been evenly frosted white.

11. Dust off any abrasive from the stencil and paper with the wide brush. DO NOT WIPE with your hand or paper towels, the abrasive can scratch. Remove the jar from the box. Return the abrasive in the box to the jar.

12. Very gently remove the paper and then the stencil.

13. Rinse off the design under running water until clear. Pat the jar dry. Your done!